A CHESTER law firm has hit out at upcoming changes to the legal system which will remove almost all access to legal aid.

The changes, which will take effect in England and Wales from April, remove legal aid except in a limited number of cases and means injured parties will have to pay some legal costs in both medical negligence and personal injury claims.

The changes are being implemented in a bid to both save the Government millions of pounds in relation to claims against public bodies such as the NHS and local authorities, and to deter the ‘compensation culture’ in the UK.

However, according to specialists at Linder Myers in Chester, the most vulnerable members of society will be the hardest hit.

Tim Dennis, medical negligence specialist at the firm, said: “The reforms are widely unpopular within the legal profession and the public are largely unaware of how this will impact them.

“The reforms will mean if an individual is injured either through medical negligence or a personal injury, any compensation won will be significantly reduced.

“Some of the legal fees incurred may have to come out of the settlement received from the defendant.

“The new legislation will not only limit access to justice for those who cannot afford it but also serve as a double blow for those who rely on compensation won to pay for essential treatment, care, equipment and house alterations.”